Event raises $64K for cancer research

Going into last Friday night's Newton County Relay For Life, organizers said they had raised $47,000 of their goal of $80,000.

Todd G. Higdon

Going into last Friday night's Newton County Relay For Life, organizers said they had raised $47,000 of their goal of $80,000.

"We ended Relay with $64,210," said Kelly Emanuel, this year's Relay chairperson. "The event was great, we had something going on all the time. The atmosphere was pretty laid back and enjoyable."

This year's Relay began at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 14, and was held at the Bob Anderson Stadium on the campus of the Neosho High School. It ended the next morning.

Relay For Life is a fun-filled, overnight event. Teams of eight to 15 members gather with tents and sleeping bags to participate in the largest fundraising walk in the nation. Relay For Life unites people from all walks of life. Teams seek sponsorship prior to the Relay, all with the goal of supporting a cure for cancer.

"The participation from the public was lower than in past years, but we still fought back against cancer and had a successful event," Emanuel said. "We appreciate our community for supporting us. I think our team and committee participation was fantastic. Newton County Relay is blessed to have so many fantastic people with motivation to step up and help the American Cancer Society. So many people are diagnosed each year and nearly everyone in our community is affected by cancer in one way or another."

As for now, the next step is the wrap up meeting for the Relay organizers.

"Wrap up will be July 15 at Abundant Life Church in Neosho," she said. "We encourage anyone looking for additional information or want to become more involved with Relay to like us on Facebook (Relay For Life of Newton County MO) and come to the wrap up party in July," said Emanuel. "Also stay tuned for our 2014 Kick-Off party, typically held at the end of January every year."

There is still time to donate to this year's Relay."

"Anyone can donate to our event by Aug. 31 by going to www.relayforlife.org/newtoncomo," she said.